The Gorgeous Variety Of Calendula That Is Perfect For Filling Gaps In Your Garden

You probably know that calendulas add both color and benefits to your yard. They're ideal for adding to your flower garden and offer some great advantages when dotted around your veggie patch. Calendula officinalis, or pot marigold, is an edible flower that'll attract bees and pollinators to your garden. Plus, it's rabbit- and deer-resistant, which is another benefit you don't want to overlook. If you're looking for some extra vibrancy this season, there's a gorgeous variety of calendula you might want to consider because it's perfect for filling any gaps you may have in your garden.

Calendula officinalis 'Sunset Buff' is an absolutely stunning variety with the most delightful ruffled petals in subtle shades of apricot and pale lemon, as well as red undersides. When the large double flowers open, they'll immediately remind you of a glorious sunset. This beauty is easy to grow from seed that you can just sow anywhere you find a small gap in your garden beds. They have an extended blooming season from spring into fall, which means you can enjoy these lovely flowers and their fragrance for many months. Like other calendula varieties, the blooms are edible and make excellent cut flowers. So, not only will they brighten up your garden, but you can also use them to add an exquisite burst of color to your interior decor.

It's best to sow 'Sunset Buff' calendula seeds directly into the garden in spring. They appreciate a sunny spot that has well-drained soil. Seeds should be sown at a depth of ¼ inch and plants should be spaced around 8 to 10 inches apart, if you're sowing multiples in the same general area because they'll grow to about 24 inches tall. You might even want to sow the seeds in succession around your garden as spots become vacant to ensure a constant supply of pretty blooms. They take around 50 to 60 days to mature, so keep this in mind and stop planting about two months before the first expected frost date. If you've never grown calendula seeds before, you might be interested in some tips to grow flourishing flowers from seeds.

As the plants start to grow, you may want to do a little tip pruning to encourage a bushier growth habit. It's a good idea to cut these blooms often so you'll get many more through the season. You should expect around five to eight floral stems per plant and these will last in a vase indoors for about six to seven days. You can even grow these pretty flowers in a container to add some liveliness to your patio garden. You'll find that these fragrant pastel annuals will give your containers a touch of romance this spring.